A strong surge of low level moisture moved into the state late on the 8th and early on the 9th, thanks in part to a strong back door cold front. The front moved south across the easter plains on the 8th and rushed through the central mountain passes into the Rio Grande Valley early on the 9th. The moisture pressed all the way back to the continental divide.

Event Narrative

The NWS observer at Santa Fe Municipal Airport reported seeing the tornado (landspout) for 15 minutes, from 3:27 - 3:42 PM. This was likely in Sandoval county, but the observer likely unable to see tornado after this point due to La Bajada Hill obstructing view. The tornado originated in extreme eastern Sandoval county and dissipated around 3:48 PM, a few minutes after crossing into Santa Fe County.